"There are many more African-American female ministers in this community who are making great strides to come together and clean up this community," said Joanne Hill, a member of Faith Hope Charity.

The fellowship counts about 55 female church pastors in the local black Christian community. Many others serve below the head pastor as ministers and evangelists.

"Many of these women of God have been mothered or mentored by Dr. Idell Cheever, who has been a trailblazer for them and has taught them through demonstration how to be a powerful woman of God against all odds," Gilbert-Grant stated in a press release.

Gilbert-Grant is the pastor of Faith Hope Charity, an "anointed preacher teacher" and a mentor to emerging young ministers.

She also is the newly elected president of the Pentecostal Ministerial Alliance.

The awards program concluded the fellowship's three-day annual conference titled "The Gathering of the Eagles: The Healing Summit."